Software⏱️ 2 min read📅 2026-05-31

How to Fix: DLL load failed error when importing cv2

DLL load failed error when importing cv2 in Python 3.6 on Windows.

Quick Answer: Try reinstalling OpenCV or using a different version that supports Python 3, such as OpenCV 4.x.

📋 Table of Contents

  1. ⚠️ Common Causes
  2. ✅ Best Solutions to Fix It
  3. 💡 Conclusion

The 'DLL load failed' error when importing cv2 can be frustrating, especially if you've installed OpenCV on your Windows machine using Python 3.6 without any issues. However, it seems that the issue may arise from a compatibility problem between OpenCV and Python 3.

⚠️ Common Causes

  • OpenCV may not be compatible with Python 3.6.

✅ Best Solutions to Fix It

Method 1: Reinstall OpenCV using pip

  1. Step 1: Uninstall OpenCV using pip by running the command `pip uninstall opencv-python` in your command prompt.

Method 2: Use a different version of OpenCV

  1. Step 1: Install a different version of OpenCV, such as OpenCV 4 or later, using pip by running the command `pip install opencv-python==`.

💡 Conclusion

By following these steps, you should be able to resolve the 'DLL load failed' error when importing cv2. Remember to always check for updates and use compatible versions of your libraries to avoid such issues in the future.

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